BANDITS’ attacks in several communities across the Rafi local government area, Niger state, have reportedly led to the death of over 50 farmers.
The attacks occurred consistently for three days, forcing several villagers out of their homes.
According to a report by Daily Trust, the attacks started on Wednesday, June 7 and lasted till Saturday, June 10, as the bandits moved from community to community.
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The last violent attack occurred between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. It affected five communities, and a yet-to-be specified number of villagers died as a result.
The attacks have worsened the humanitarian crisis in the Rafi LGA.
Since the attacks began, several women and children have been displaced.
Those already displaced are relocating to Kagara, the headquarters of Rafi LGA, abandoning their villages for bandits.
According to one of the residents, Abdullahi Usman, the bandit group had over 100 members.
He said they rode on motorcycles, invading many villages without resistance or challenges.
“It’s true that bandits have resumed attacks with full force. We have not had it easy in the last two weeks, but the situation has worsened since Wednesday.
“As I speak, bandits have taken over most parts of Rafi LGA. They had been in Kusherki Community since around 2 pm on Friday; they spent the night in Garin-Zara Community and rustled hundreds of cattle, goats and rams, and killed an unspecified number of people,” Daily Trust quoted him to have said.
When The ICIR contacted the Niger state police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, to speak on the incident, he asked for time to verify.
He said, “Let me verify and get back to you.”
However, as of the time of filing this report, Abiodun was yet to respond.
In northwest and north central Nigeria, bandits continue to ravage communities, kidnapping, killing and looting the villagers.
The bandits operate in different groups, announcing their arrival through motorcycles. According to the Zamfara state governor, Bello Matawalle, over 30,000 bandits are operating across Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Kaduna.
Beloved John is an investigative reporter with International Centre for Investigative Reporting.
You can reach her via: Bjohn@icirnigeria.org
Comment: The Insurgent attack in Nigeria its too worse, last week Armed group killed dozens of People in Sokoto state and Zamfara’ and now in Niger state’ this is the main Problem that New Tinubu Administration face’ Northwest Bandirty its trying fleeing Millions people from their land’ and Continue to killing over people, what i advise to this new Goverment under National Security Adviser and Defence Headquather’ its good to you to taken Recruite and providing them a special training, then to Boost Intelligence inside Community’ i think this its help us to Reduce Terrorist across the Nation” I’m Omar Defence Intelligence Expert and Journalist Investigator” Thank you;